Honoring those who lost their lives while building, maintaining, and operating California’s world-class transportation system. & Providing information on how to help keep our workers and our highways safe.

About Caltrans

Caltrans manages more than 50,000 miles of California's highway and freeway lanes, provides inter-city rail services, permits more than 400 public-use airports and special-use hospital heliports, and works with local agencies.

Caltrans carries out its mission of providing a safe, sustainable, integrated and efficient transportation system to enhance California's economy and livability, with six primary programs: Aeronautics, Highway Transportation, Mass Transportation, Transportation Planning, Administration and the Equipment Service Center.

How to Apply

California State law requires that all future civil service employees participate in merit based hiring process prior to entering in State service. The Department of Transportation (Caltrans) is a State Agency bound by these regulations and adheres to them through the following hiring steps:

STEP 2: Examination

Examinations are administered through the Office of Examinations to assess knowledge, skills, and abilities of future employees. Candidates must participate in an examination prior to applying to job vacancies.

Visit our Exam Plan for a complete list of all examinations offered through Caltrans (Be sure to click on the classification code to review the minimum qualifications for the position).

STEP 4: Interview

Below are a few tips that will help you prepare for an interview after you apply to a vacancy within Caltrans:

Print the job posting and associated attachments for the vacancy. This contains all the position details such as the duty statement, job description information, special requirements, and contact information for the position. Note: the posting and associated attachments disappear after the final filing date.

Study the position. Review the classification specification to understand the duties, tasks, and minimum qualifications necessary for the position.

Why Choose Caltrans?

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) manages a world class transportation system that connects the people and regions of our state. We play a significant role in making our economy the 8th largest in the world, bringing goods and services to California’s customers. Caltrans directly manages more than 50,000 lane miles of State and federal highways, as well as 12,000 highway bridges; permits more than 400 public-use airports; and operates three of the top five Amtrak intercity rail services.

Caltrans is always seeking qualified individuals to help with a wide variety of duties. Our goal is to promote a positive work environment and encourage innovation and creativity. We encourage you to look at our current job vacancies and find what best fits your skill set.

"I think there's no higher calling in terms of a career than public service, which is a chance to make a difference in people's lives and improve the world."

Jack Lew, 76th United States Secretary of the Treasury

Employment Opportunities at Caltrans Include the Following Career Fields:

Accounting

Administrative Professionals

Attorneys

Clerical and Office Support

Contracting and Procurement

Cooks (Seasonal)

Dispatchers

Drawbridge Operators

Engineers

Environmental Professionals

Equipment Mechanics

Human Resources

Information Technology

Land Surveyors

Maintenance

Planners

Right of Way Agents

Technical Support

Toll Collectors

Warehouse Workers

Employment Information

Post and Bid is a benefit for rank and file employees in bargaining units 4, 11, 12, and 13 which gives permanent full-time employees, who have completed their probationary period, the mandatory right to transfer to another position within their classification within the Department based on seniority.

Examinations: General Information

Current Caltrans Examination Listings

CEA Exams - Caltrans Career Executive Assignments: high level administrative and policy-influencing positions for which the primary responsibility is the managing of a function or rendering of management advice to top level administrative authority.

Exempt Exams- Caltrans Exempt positions: exempt from civil service laws and rules therefore, individuals are not required to take an examination prior to appointment.

Caltrans Student Assistants and Volunteers

Student Assistant Program

The Caltrans Student Assistant Program is designed to introduce students with the work and employment opportunities within the Department. Gain on-the-job training and paid experience while attending college! We have many opportunities in the following fields:

Students must be enrolled in a minimum of 6 semester (or equivalent 9 quarter) units in a related field of study and maintain a 2.0 GPA. For additional information, please e-mail us at: HQStudentAssistantProgram@dot.ca.gov.

Volunteer Program

This program is designed as a recruitment tool to introduce the Volunteer to the work and employment opportunities within the Department. Volunteers must be over the age of 15 (with a valid work permit, if applicable).

If interested, send in a resume with a cover letter, describing what you would like to do, to askrecruitment@dot.ca.gov. Your resume will be sent to participating Supervisors within that field and you will be contacted for further information.

LEAP Limited Examination and Appointment Program

The Limited Examination and Appointment Program (LEAP) is designed to help persons with disabilities get jobs in the California state civil service. LEAP is an alternative to the traditional testing process, allowing applicants to demonstrate knowledge, skills and abilities through on-the-job testing. More information about LEAP is available at the CalHR LEAP page.